R -- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Directors of Public Health Preparedness (DPHP) Support

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) intends to negotiate with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials(ASTHO) on a sole sources basis to ensure continued integration of healthcare systems emergency preparedness activities in all States through the work of the Directors of Public Health Preparedness (DPHP) Policy Committee. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The anticipated purchase order period will be twelve months from the date of award. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure pandemic planning coordination at all levels of government and to ensure closer integration of the State public health emergency preparedness plans with healthcare system preparedness. This will be accomplished by: (1) enhancing the communication capabilities of the ASTHO/DPHP Policy Committee (2) developing a briefing for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO) staff on state preparedness issues, and (3) facilitating and engaging the State Director's Preparedness work. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) of 2006 authorized the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award cooperative agreements to eligible entities to improve surge capacity and enhance community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies. The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) was transferred to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in March 2006. Inherent in the implementation of the ASPR HPP is a strong, working relationship between the State Departments of Health, the State hospital associations, individual hospitals, and other members of the healthcare system. Development of a seamless strategic plan involving all members of the State and local public health and healthcare system is essential to a comprehensive, coordinated response to events that may cause mass casualties or injury. This effort will focus State Preparedness Directors on the task of coordinating public health efforts with their healthcare organization partners, link State plans closer together and develop and provide guidance and support to all State Health Officials as they continue their preparedness efforts. This contract will enhance the communication and collaboration of the ASTHO/DPHP and HHS/ASPR. ASTHO is considered the sole source for satisfying this requirement because it is the only entity with the established membership and affiliations necessary to perform the tasks outlined above. These tasks require the experience, expertise and leadership of a national organization with a demonstrated history of working with and understanding the needs of public health and healthcare systems in the United States. ASTHO is the only national nonprofit organization representing State and Territorial public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO members are the chief health officials of each State who provide leadership and guidance at the State level. The Directors of Public Health Preparedness (DPHP) Committee was created to assist ASTHO members in developing preparedness activities and in integrating preparedness efforts with existing state-based public health programs. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there may be other sources with the necessary expertise and qualifications to perform the work described above. Any source capable of performing the work should submit a statement of capabilities with documentation supporting its ability to meet the Government's requirement as articulated above. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation document is available. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Capability statements should be submitted within 15 days after the date of publication of this notice to Cari.Converse@psc.gov.